System edited: Power cord changes. After trying a couple of Fusion Audio's Enchanters on my monoblocks (replacing Purist Audio Design Dominus Rev. C's) I came to the conclusion I wanted to audition more... after comparing against the Purist Audio Anniversary Contego, and another Dominus Rev. C, both have been replaced with Fusion Audio cords. A Fusion Audio Impulse was placed on the front end, and a 20A IEC on the BPT 3.5 Sig. Plus.

audiofankj September 02, 2007 20:43

Vince - Good to hear they are in and breaking in. I read a few of the reviews. Don't make any judgements until about 600+ hours of break in on those V-CAPS!

Larry - I am humbled. Thanks for the kind words. Personal email sent. You are welcome anytime. I would recommend after a few more weeks, as I am limping along with an iPod for a source at this time as my new front end delivery has been delayed...

Sherod - Yeah, I will enjoy a movie or two a month with the wife. When I do get some time to relax I still find myself listening 80-85% of the time with the projector off. I wanted to maximize the seating, thus went for eight comfy. :)

Albert - Thanks as well. I really need to try and get some better photos. I just picked up a new digital camera and with the lighting being recessed, the front wall and ceiling dark chocolate - does not make for the most representative photo... unless of course you happen to know someone who knows how to use a camera! ? :)

Another few weeks and the AMR CD-77 should be landing.

audiofankj August 03, 2007 20:31

V-Caps in...... and they need some more breaking in. I have Michael Hedges on now happily strumming away.

so, you were right. (gulp)

muralman1 July 24, 2007 21:14

Great job Kirk, you've outdone yourself. Even better than before.

albertporter July 24, 2007 20:20

Wow, Kirk! I can't believe all the nice comfortable chairs you've added. Are you opening a little mini-theatre for your neighbors? A little admission charge could help in system pay back. I hope you are enjoying the movies as well as the music.

sherod July 24, 2007 18:47

Hello Kirk,
WOW! Holey Crap!!
What a transformation, it’s even more beautiful!!!
Sorry, It’s been a while since I have looked at your system, way to go. I have to hear this baby sometime. Please send me a private email and once again include your general location. Maybe I can stop by sometime (with advanced notice) if I’m in the area.
Best regards,

lak July 22, 2007 03:49

Hi Kirk,

My V-Caps are on the way. I can only guess what the improvements will be. I already have never heard Apogees sound so good.

Vince

muralman1 July 21, 2007 22:18

Hi Rumadian. Thank you for the kind words. Some of my system thread information needed a good "dusting off" and I think I updated the majority of it.

The Meadowlark Blue Heron 2's are an absolutely fine sounding speaker in my mind. I am still holding out hope Patrick McGinty will resurface with a continuation of his fine work.

As for the H2o's, I spoke with Henry a few weeks back and he stated he had made a pair of Signature Mono's with the V-Caps and it was not much less than astounding. I find this interesting as Henry is very reserved in his explanations, and just how well the pair of Signature Mono's I owned worked! This truly must be something I need to hear again... soon perhaps.

Please keep me posted how your H2o sounds after a few hundred hours have passed. :)

audiofankj July 21, 2007 22:09

System edited: System pictures and equipment list updated on the virtual system thread.

audiofankj July 21, 2007 21:59

Hi Vince,

Yeah, I have tried various caps in many different types of components over the years.

I think some of it is the caps and some of it is dependant upon the implimentation of the caps in the design and associated electronics in the circuit.

Just thought you may want to speak with Henry about his thoughts in comparison to the signature model you have.

Happy listening!

audiofankj July 11, 2007 20:55

You've got a very fine system. I always enjoyed the time I spent with the Meadowlark Kestrel 2's and the Swallows. I can only imagine how sweet those Blue Heron 2's sound!

As an interesting side; I've taken in the H2O Signature 150 amplifier (Henry's 100 wpc stereo amp). I ran it roughly a year ago; this revised version with the new caps is simply stunning. It is rare for me to use the word "best"; but when it comes to high powered class D - I just haven't heard anything even close.

As for the Fire - sometime soon... oh yes :)

rumadian July 11, 2007 20:39

I meant to say I wondered if you have had experience with other caps.

muralman1 July 11, 2007 10:18

Kirk, there is some negative noise going on about V-Caps. Some chaps in Europe found better caps. Another found Sonicaps superior. I have Theta bypass caps on all four big caps. My sound is damn good compared to the real thing.

muralman1 July 11, 2007 10:16

Hi Vince, from what Henry had to say about the V-Caps, it sounds like you could be missing quite a lot! Make sure to give him a call. They must really fit into his design to have him think so highly of the upgrade. Let me know what you hear.

I have the AMR CD-77 on order, and am patiently awaiting its arrival.

Here is a link to a review on 6 moons.

Have an enjoyable 4th!

audiofankj July 04, 2007 08:57

Kirk, you are on the right track, that is for sure. I sure wish I could hear the Meadowlark. It seems those guys did something extraordinary with the box speaker genre.

I have installed bridging caps, and improved modules. Since I can't hear anything lacking in my playback, I am at a loss wondering what I might be missing without the V-Caps. I will have to talk to Henry. I'm sure I can do that operation myself.

What front end do you have on order? Guido sent me a note on his new TentLabs CDP kit. It was given a complimentary reviewed at 6Moons. It's a NOS player.

Happy Listening!

muralman1 July 04, 2007 07:05

Hi Sherod - Yeah, I am somewhere near the end of getting the system rebuilt as of now. I have decided to go with the latest Synergistic Research Tesla series interconnects and speaker cables. They are astounding - especially given the current state of my system in flux. I am still trying some different power cords, and will most likely await arrival of the new front end. Hopefully it will be here this month!

Mark it is always good to hear from you! I look forward to picking your brain on NOS tubes for the Dodd 120's now that things are starting to wind down with the major changes.

Vince - Yep - back to my Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2's. I was hoping to see Pat McGinty resurface by now, but it doesn't look like that is the case. I have had very good luck with the performance of these speakers. Speaking of the other big fish you mention - I spoke with Henry a few weeks ago and he mentioned he made a pair of Sig Mono's with the new V-Caps and the improvement was *not* subtle. You may want to give him a call and arrange to send your pair in for a "tune up." :) The cd player I have on order should give the top of the line AN front end gear a run for its money... time will tell.

Art - We definately have to burn a few minutes on the phone again soon. I have been working 60 hour weeks on average with the new job - which isn't all bad as I like the company, the position, and the people. The time flies by, however not much is left for tweaking and typing! Thus far the BH2's are singing with the Dodd gear. I am still awaiting my new front end - the AMR CD-77. Once that arrives I will swap some NOS tubes into the preamp and amps as well. Audition and settle on a few power cords, and then most likely look into a music server I can feed into the AMR.

Latest change - added a pair of Sistrum SP-101's under my Meadowlark Blue Heron 2's. As I rebuilt the room and system for dual purpose 2-channel and home theater, I set the second row upon a riser to be able to see over the front row... in my infinite wisdom *cough* I somehow forgot that would elevate the listening position. With the addition of the SP-101 platforms I have raised the tweeter height back to where it should be in relation to seating position. The sonics may also benefit from the stands. They have only been installed for a couple of hours as of now. The mids and highs seem more articulate, however the bottom end seems to be leaner... this may change after a day or two. Once the wife sees the platforms they may be going up for sale as well. They aren't the last word in stability! Heh.

Will have to check in on this thread more often. Have a great Fourth of July!

audiofankj July 03, 2007 20:46

Kirk - things have certainly changed since we last spoke, looking great and I bet the Heron's are killer with the Dodd stuff...we need to catch up sometime.

Art

arthursmuck June 19, 2007 14:40

Back to Meadowlark, eh? Man, I want to hear those. They have to be special box speakers.

Hey, if ever decide to cast in for other lost big fish, I would love for you to dress it with the lowly Anti-Cable, and the best AN DAC and transport your money can buy.

muralman1 June 04, 2007 17:38

Nice system Kirk, and a nice room too!

1markr June 04, 2007 05:43

Hi Kirk,
I'm glad to see that you're getting your system rebuilt. I'll be anxious to see what mix of power cords and interconnects you end up with. Please keep us posted.

sherod June 03, 2007 18:11

Added a couple of photos - hard to get the digital to take decent photos with limited light. (Ken you will have to bring your Leica over!)

Just added a current photo of the front of the system. Difficult to see due to lighting... Will try to grab some better photos soon.

audiofankj June 01, 2007 18:45

System edited: Back in November I had made a decision to persue a new speaker venture that I felt was going to make an enormous impact at it's price point in the market. I still do believe they will be an overachiever at more than their retail price point. However, after more than six months of patiently waiting the release of these new speakers - the decision was made to move in another direction. The refund request was graciously granted. A sincere thank you to an un-named gentleman. As luck would have it, the local buyer of my original pair of Meadowlark Blue Heron 2's called and asked if I would be interested in purchasing them - I asked for the right of refusal if they ever decided to sell them. It was a 'no brainer' to me. I have owned several speakers that have perhaps slightly excelled in one or two areas better than the Meadowlark Audio Blue Heron 2's, however at the expense of losing in another area. They are once again happily set up, and making music. I have made the decision to swap around some cabling as well and have just received new cabling last Friday... that has been placed into the system and is breaking in now. New speaker cabling, and new interconnects. I will most likely be playing with power cables next. I will try to take some photos of the room changes and get them posted soon.

audiofankj May 27, 2007 19:14

Hey Kirk,

Cant wait to see ( and hear) the new gear! Congrats on putting together this latest endeavor..I know its been a long, frustrating wait for the new speaks..I have a feeling its gonna be good!

Best,
Ken

kehut May 25, 2007 20:27

AF...

I'm excited to see what you got planned for this weekend. Post pics!

Joey :)

joey_v May 23, 2007 21:49

Changes in the works. Should have some of them posted soon - perhaps this weekend.

audiofankj May 23, 2007 13:11